ChalleNGe Academy and Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps

CAMP MABRY, Texas – Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps cadets and staff will resume normal operations and classes in Sheffield, Texas this week. Class 2008-2 first assembled July 19 at the Galveston Island facility. Hurricane IKE flooded the Galveston facility three weeks ago forcing the move to West Texas.

Serving at-risk Texas youth, Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps is an initiative of the National Guard. Students who are at risk of dropping out of high school (ages 16-18) may apply for the 17.5 month program.

During the first 5.5 months cadets are housed under residential supervision. After completing this residential phase, students return to their communities across Texas and are mentored by adult volunteers locally for the next 12 months. These mentors assist the youth in their life plans and help the program track the students’ progress.

Over one-hundred cadets are expected to continue the ChalleNGe program at the Texas ChalleNGe Academy facility. The Sheffield facility is capable of housing 128 cadets.

Since many Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps employees have been affected and displaced by the hurricane, Texas Joint Counterdrug Task Force personnel will assist and support Sheffield faculty to ensure proper staff coverage. National Guard members work in a support role with a focus on safety, security and transition. Resumption of full operations with all cadets and employees is anticipated

The Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps facility on Galveston Island is temporarily closed due to the devastation of Hurricane IKE.

Hurricane Ike made landfall on Galveston Island at 2:10 a.m. CDT on September 13.  Maximum sustained winds were near 110 M.P.H., making Ike the third category 2 hurricane (along with Dolly and Gustav) to strike the U.S. this year.  Galveston Island suffered massive damage.

It is uncertain whether the Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps building in Galveston will be salvageable.